Corn-cutter.



Patented May 7, l90l.

J. H. KOONTZ. CORN CUTTER.

(Application filed Oct. 28, 1900.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

JOHN H. KOONTZ, OF KIRKSVILLE, INDIANA.

CORN-CUTTER.

SPEGIFIGATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 673,644, dated May '7, 1901.

Application filed October 26, 1900. Serial No 34,427. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN H. KOONTZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kirksville, in the county of Monroe and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Gutters; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to portable apparatus for cutting 06 standing cornstalks in the field; and the object is to provide a cheap and simple horse-power cutter, whereby such work may be expedited at the least expense for implements and labor.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the right-hand side of the apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a top plan view of the same; Fig. 3 an end view, and Fig. 4 a perspective view, of the cutting-knife; Fig. '5 a rear elevation, and-Fig. 6 a front elevation, of the complete apparatus.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures of the drawings designate similar parts.

In construction I form a movable supporting structure comprising sled-runners A A, coupled together suitably, as by means of cross-pieces O and D, and a platform B. The edge a of the platform extends somewhat over the runner A from the forward end to a point near the rear end, where it is cut away on a curved line, as at b. The rear crosspiece or beam D also extends somewhat over the runner A and supports the rear end of a tongue E, which extends forward therefrom a suitable distance substantially parallel to the edge a of the platform, so that a throat F is provided, the extremity of the tongue being curved outwardly, forming a mouth broader than the throat. A tail-board d is usually attached to the beam D, extending across the rear end of the platform B and somewhat above the upper surface thereof.

A cutting-knife G, having holest t near the ends thereof, is extended across the rear end of the throat F diagonally and is secured at one end to the tongue and at the opposite end to the main structure by means of bolts u '10, extending through the holes it. The cutting edge 10 is preferably formed by beveling the under side, as at q, so that the top face of the knife is straight. The knife also acts as a lateral brace for the tongue E, the latter being further reinforced by a brace 6, attached thereto and also to the beam D at the extremity thereof. In some cases I may provide the tongue E with a runner H to prevent the forward end from being drawn down or from sagging. The knife may, however, be secured in any other suitable manner.

A guide I is formed, preferably of round bar-iron, in a somewhat semicircular contour and provided with feet ff, by which it is secured on the top of the platform B, so that the central portion l shall be the higher portion thereof, rising a suitable distance above the throat F and leaning over so as to be above the tongue E, near the forward end thereof, situated substantially as shown.

An adjustable guide-arm J is formed, preferably of bar-iron, and has a stem pivoted at its lower end to the tongue E, near the forward end thereof, by a bolt 1) and normally leans rearwardly at an angle oblique to the top of the tongue. The upper part of the guide is bent over, as at m, toward the throat and extends over the throat above the knife G at its highest portion 1) and then extends downwardly, as at n, at the opposite side of the throat, the extremity of the portion 72 extending over a portion of the guide I. An angle-brace K has one end connected by a pivot-bolt It to the tongue E at a suitable position rearwardly from the pivot 2', and its opposite end is connected to the guide J by a removable bolt j. In order to alter the angularity of the guide J, it is provided with one or more bolt-holes h near the bolt j, so that the latter, together with the upper end of the brace K, may be transferred thereto, thus adjusting the guide J to suit the height of the cornstalks.

In operation a horse may be suitably hitched to the forward end of the sled and the latter dragged on the ground, so that the edge a may clear one side of a row of cornstalks, the guide-tongue E drawing all straggling stalks into the throat, the guide I tending to bend the stalks over against the inner side of the tongue and break bunches, so that the knife G will engage one stalk at a time. The oblique angularity of the knife will cause, as it moves, the stalks to slide along its edge, producing a drawing effect and readily cutting oif the stalk, which will be forced forward at its top by the parts m o n of the guide J until the stalk shall. fall upon the guide I and thence upon the platform B, the overhanging portion l preventing the stalk from falling into the throat F. The stalks may be taken from the platform by an attendant and tied and shocked or otherwise disposed of, the work being done by this simple means more easily and much more rapidly than by hand-cutting and involving less expense than required in the use of elaborate machines.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a corn-cutter, the combination of the pair of runners, the platform extending over and beyond one of the runners, the cross-piece at the rear end of the runners, the guide secured to said platform at said extending portion thereof, the tongue having the outwardlycurved forward end and secured to said crosspiece, the knife secured to said tongue and extending to said cross-piece, the brace attached to said tongue and to the outer portion of said cross-piece, the guide-arm pivoted to said tongue, the angle-brace pivoted to said tongue, the removable bolt oonnecting said angle-brace to said guide-arm, and a plurality of bolt-holes in said guide-arm whereby the same may be adjusted, substantially as set forth.

2. In a corn-cutter, the combination of the pair of runners, the platform extending over and beyond one of the runners, the guide extending from said platform above and beyond the extending portion of said platform, the tongue having the outwardly-curved forward end, the runner secured to the forward portion of said tongue, the cutting-knife, the guide-arm pivoted to said tongue, the anglebrace pivoted to said tongue, and the removable bolt connecting said angle-brace to said guide-arm, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. KOONTZ.

Witnesses:

RoMANo JONES, J. W. CRANE. 

